Over the past few week, Longwood’s Modern Language Department has been hosting the eighth annual International Film Festival in Hull Auditorium. The film festival started on March 21 and ends on March 30th. All films shown were free and had English subtitles for all to enjoy.
For the Spanish series the festival showed, “El Hijo de la Novia” which translates to, “The Son of the Bride” which was shown on Monday, March 21. The Spanish department also showed the film, “Ladron que Roba Ladron” translated, “To Rob a Thief” which was shown on Monday. While there was much persuasion for students to attend the films from the modern language department, the screenings of both films were well received, and students and faculty who attended seemed to enjoy the films.
“El Hijo de la Novia” was a romantic comedy which introduced the audience to the son, Rafael who lost his way when he was younger and opened a restaurant. However, he had an eye opening experience that put him on the right track. He then went on to become closer to his family and his father proposed to his mother to renew their wedding vows and other events ensues. Student Logan Potts stated, “I though the ‘Son of the Bride’ was a very good and funny movie.”
The turnout for this movie was good, but the auditorium was packed during the second movie.
“Ladron que Roba Ladron” was an action packed film with much comedy added in the plot line. The film was a look at how money can overrule honesty in a person’s life. Alejandro was a professional thief who sold infomercial products. Products in which people ordered, spent good money on and truly believed would work, but the products failed. However, Emilio who is also a professional thief felt this was very wrong and planned a heist to steal Alejandro’s money, which he basically stole from the hopeful people. All in all, it was a film which portrayed honesty is everything, and if one is not honest then it can definitely come back to haunt them.
Student Amelia Butterfield said, “The movie was very comical and had me hooked all the way through the end.”
Also student Mikayla Clarke stated, “The movie was actually very intriguing! I didn’t expect to get that into it; while the subtitles were helpful to follow the plot line it almost seemed as if the movie was in English because of how intrigued I was.”
This film was very well received and ended with the crowd in applause.
Another great attraction to the festival was the raffle of a Barnes and Noble gift card at the end of the films as well as pizza to wrap up the Spanish department’s portion of event. In addition to the Spanish department, other language departments participated including the German department which showed, “Ein Freund Von Mir” translated to “A Friend of Mine” and “Die Farbe” translated to “The Color out of Space;” the French department showed films, “Alceste á Bicyclette” which translates to, “Cycling with Molière.” and “La Famille Bélier” which translates to, “The Bélier Family.”
The last film of the festival will be the German film, “Die Farbe” on Wednesday March 30 at 7 p.m. in Hull Auditorium.
